More Christmas Books!

I was walking around the shelves of our library the other day before winter break began, shelving holiday books that had already been passed around among classrooms. As I was shelving them, I realized there are quite a few holiday books that everyone loves and enjoys. No matter how many of them I find, though, I always come across one I hadn't pulled or even heard of. When I was just about done shelving, I came across The Night Tree by Eve Bunting. I realized I hadn't read it in a long time, so I read it again, right then and there.

Two words I'd use to describe this book: peaceful and lovely. Narrated by the older brother, it's the telling of a family tradition in which the characters of the book go out into the neighboring woods to decorate a tree -- not to chop it down. The writing is in present tense and the reader is experiencing the event as the narrator describes it. 

I especially appreciated the illustrations and found them to have a distinctive energy, both in the expressions of the characters and in the depth of the color palette (especially in the color of the night sky.) In particular, there is a double page spread in which the family is singing into the night. I found myself mesmerized with the faces, almost hearing their voices. 

Here are more Christmas books I've enjoyed this season: 

Board book! 

One of my favorites! 

Great nonfiction! 

Published in 2018, a new favorite

I enjoy reading holiday books, and I hope we get a lot more of them! (Especially chapter books! I definitely would love to see more of those!) But even when we get new books, we keep reading our favorites and we love them just like we love the ornaments we've had for years! 

P.S. The best shoes to wear while reading or shopping for holiday books? BOOTS, OF COURSE! 

I've been wearing these ankle booties from Macy's a lot lately because they are cute and comfortable! 

What holiday books have been your favorites this year? 

The Holidays are Here!

December has arrived and it doesn't seem real to me. The days go by and by!

One of the very best parts of this time of year is making sure the library is extra comfortable and festive for the holidays! Schedules are busy and change by the hour (unintentionally) and so I want our community to feel that they can always count on the library to be their school "living room".
Whether it's book displays, cardboard tube snowmen, or posters, etc., I like finding little things that can make everyone smile!

Here are a few of those "little things"!

I found this idea on Instagram for my Lightbox! I always struggle to find the right book message for it, so I am grateful to those librarians who post and share ideas!  Do you have a light box in your library? I am so glad I purchased one at the beginning of the year (although I do wish my set had an apostrophe)!

The Grinch is very popular this year, so everyone has been loving my Grinch Book Face! (Again, thank you, Pinterest!) 

We made these cardboard snowmen and reindeer! I found the idea on Facebook.

And I also like to put up this "virtual" fireplace for readers to enjoy.

Now, I want to share a few books that I have really enjoyed lately and found so delightful.

This is one of my latest book purchases! I'd heard so much about this book, and it lived up to every good thing I'd heard about it. It's engaging from beginning to end and the illustrations are so vibrant and filled with energy. A lovely story of family and traditions! 

Another one of my latest book purchases: Santa Bruce! Ryan T. Higgins gives Bruce a holiday story that once again endears him to all of us! Pay attention to the illustrations! It makes me laugh every time I read it! This one also has a great case cover! 

I ordered the UK version of One Christmas Wish, and I am so glad I did. The case cover is phenomenal, and the illustrations are reminiscent (at least to me) of Roger Duvoisin (of the Petunia books). It's the story of a boy who is lonely at the holidays! He makes a wish and a beautiful adventure begins! 

Thank You, Omu! is a must-have picture book! What a wonderful story of generosity! I was captivated by every page! Thank you, Little Brown! Around the holidays, there is a focus on giving. This story fits right in with the spirit of the season. 

Do you know Pine & Boof? The second book in the series is Pine & Boof Blast Off! Pine is, of course, a porcupine, and Boof is a bear! They are friends and in this story, they happen upon an unlikely adventure, and they meet a challenge head on and with great fun! Thank you, HarperCollins! 

Now that this post is finished, I can say that I am very proud of myself for blogging again. It's been a few -- or more -- weeks! This was an item on my to-do list, and now, I will celebrate for accomplishing it! 

I hope your holidays are filled with joy and good books.